Welcome to our New Staff Members
As we embark on the start of 2020, we have several new staff members joining us. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest teachers to Cranford House. Thank you for joining our school and becoming a part of our educational community.
Mrs J Fogarty – Teacher of Art. We are delighted to welcome back Mrs Fogarty as a permanent part-time Teacher of Art and Textiles. She is a very talented teacher and practising artist, who knows Cranford House well having previously covered Mrs Day’s maternity leave. With a degree from the Slade School of Fine Art, specialising in printmaking, life drawing and painting, Mrs Fogarty then completed a PGCE in Art and Design. Fuelled by her love of art and a passion to instil this in children, Mrs Fogarty has many years’ experience of teaching, including both Junior and Senior Art up to A level. A member of several professional organisations, including The Print Makers Council and Reading Guild of Artists, Mrs Fogarty regularly exhibits her own work and also founded the Caversham Arts Trail.
Mrs F Hermsen – Teacher of Physical Education. Mrs Hermsen joins us with a wealth of PE teaching experience and a highly decorated CV in terms of sporting achievements, most notably as a member of the England Senior World Cup Lacrosse Squad (2005 and 2009). With a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a PGCE in Physical Education, Mrs Hermsen has significant teaching experience and is an exceptional sports person and coach. Skilled in a huge range of disciplines including Netball, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Trampolining, Football, Hockey and Rugby, she is a very welcome addition to our PE department and I am sure will become a familiar face to parents in a very short space of time.
Mr C Blakey – Teaching Assistant. Mr Blakey joins Cranford House as a Teaching Assistant, having previously worked at Chandlings in a similar role, as well as helping to lead their sports provision. We are extremely pleased to be able to make the most of Mr Blakey’s skills as a highly-accomplished Sports Coach and we look forward to Mr Blakey supporting Junior pupils in group and class activities. An enthusiastic and highly skilled hockey player, Mr Blakey has led boys, girls and adult hockey teams, successfully entering many sports competitions. Away from school, he also represents Wallingford Hockey Club as the 1st XI Captain.
Mrs J van der Wyck – Teaching Assistant. Mrs van der Wyck knows Cranford House very well from her years as a parent and now joins the Teaching Assistant team. Her career experience to date has been varied and she most recently worked as a Nutritional Therapist but is excited about lending her skills to an altogether different environment. As a mum of three children, Mrs van der Wyck is looking forward to supporting pupils in their learning journeys and is hoping to put her knowledge of food science, French and her love of sport to good use!
Dr V Ettwein – Teaching Assistant. Dr Ettwein joins us as a Teaching Assistant in the Junior School. With a PhD in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, Dr Ettwein previously worked in research, focusing on climate change. During her time working in this capacity, she taught classes to post graduate students and would also present at seminars and conferences. Having her own children took her career along a slightly different path and she is now excited to be utilising her impressive range of skills and experience to support learning at an earlier stage of development. We are looking forward to making the most of her talents!